The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and produces the liquid that nourishes, protects and carries sperm on ejaculation. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum.

Prostate cancer generally affects men over the age of 50 and is rarely found in younger men. Around
32, 000 men in the UK are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer each year. It differs from most other cancers in the body, in that small areas of cancer within the prostate are very common and may not grow or cause any problems for many years.

About one in three men over the age of 50 have some Cancer Cells within their prostate and nearly all men over the age of 80 have a small area of Prostate Cancer. Most of these cancers grow extremely slowly and so, particularly in elderly men, will never cause any problems. In a small proportion of men, the Prostate Cancer can grow more quickly and in some cases may spread to other parts of the body, particularly the bones.

What are the symptoms?

Often Prostate Cancer does not have any symptoms, but when they do occur they may include :-

• The need to urinate more frequently.
• Disturbed sleep because of the need to urinate.
• Difficulty or pain when passing water.
• Delay or hesitancy before urinating.
• A feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied.
• Pain or stiffness in the lower back, pelvis and hips.

It is important to be aware that there are number of other, non-cancerous medical conditions that may also cause these symptoms. In advanced Prostate Cancer, the following symptoms may occur :-

However not all of the doctors will necessarily use all of these tests, some may use less and some more. Specific patients may require different tests and therefore the final selection of any tests must be made in conjunction with a medical doctor.

We appreciate that some readers have yet to decide upon the doctor and if you would like to receive a short list from which you can make the final selection please E-mail us. It is advisable that you identify the suspected or diagnosed pathological condition in order for us to provide the most appropriate options.